WASHINGTON, DC – Ways and Means Trade Subcommittee Ranking Member Benjamin L. Cardin (D-Md.) issued the following remarks during the committee’s informal mark-up of the U.S. - Bahrain Free Trade Agreement (FTA):

“Thank you, Mr. Chairman.

“Let me start by saying that I have been impressed by the leadership and courage that the Government of Bahrain has demonstrated in concluding this agreement – and perhaps even more so, the leadership and courage it has shown in making difficult political, social and economic reforms in recent years.

“Bahrain has taken a truly historic step by disavowing all aspects of the Arab League boycott against Israel.  I know that eliminating the boycott has not been easy – but Bahrain has demonstrated that it is committed to doing the right thing.

“Bahrain’s commitment should serve as a model to other nations in the Middle East, and I hope the Administration will view Bahrain’s actions as the standard that should be used for future free trade agreements with countries in the region.

“I also would like to commend Bahrain for the labor reforms that it has enacted in recent years.  In 2002, Bahrain enacted legislation that, for the first time, gave workers in Bahrain the right to belong to trade unions and to strike.

“I also have been impressed with Bahrain’s commitment to make further reforms in order to bring its labor laws into full compliance with internationally recognized standards.  My conversations with Bahraini officials during the last few months have persuaded me that Bahrain is trying to do the right thing.

“I would note that Bahrain’s actions stand in contrast to some of the CAFTA countries, who actually weakened or proposed weakening their laws after the CAFTA was signed.  Unlike these CAFTA countries, Bahrain is a country that is heading in the right direction with regard to labor reforms. 

“Unfortunately, as Mr. Rangel has pointed out, the enactment of labor reforms is not easy – and Bahrain’s labor laws are not where they need to be right now. 

“The structure of the Bahrain FTA, like those of other recent trade agreements, provides that countries must only “enforce their own laws” when it comes to labor.  This is the only enforceable provision the Chapter on Labor – and there is no requirement that countries bring their laws into compliance with internationally recognized standards. 

“When “enforce your own laws” is the model we are using in our trade agreements, it is important that a country’s labor laws meet basic international standards.  
       
“I hope in the next few days we can complete our discussions and find a way to address our concerns so that Bahrain’s laws meet international labor standards.

“Thank you, Mr. Chairman.”
        

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